coach Michael Reiziger of Holland U21 during the U21 Men match between Holland U21 v Georgia U21 at the Covebo Stadium De Koel on September 9, 202…Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images
International boss says Rangers secured a ‘great’ signing in ‘very good’ £1.5m man
As far as Philippe Clement is concerned, there are a couple of good reasons why Rangers pursued a deadline day deal for their penultimate signing of the summer window.
The first, of course, being Neraysho Kasanwirjo’s impressive versatility.
Rangers boss Clement feels that the Feyenoord loanee is capable of thriving not only as a centre-half but also in both full-back roles. Kasanwirjo even played as a deep-lying midfielder during his time at Groningen before that £1.5 million move to Rotterdam in January 2023.
And, while the Netherlands Under 21 international never really nailed down a starting role at Feyenoord – now-Liverpool boss Arne Slot feeling that a tendency to switch off in key moments was holding him back from becoming a ‘top player’ – Clement insists that Kasanwirjo will find it a little easier adapting to life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl having already played in front of one of Europe’s most vociferous fanbases.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo of Feyenoord during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord v Willem II at the Stadium Feijenoord on August 10, 2024 in…
Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images
Rangers sign Neraysho Kasanwirjo from Feyenoord
Michael Reiziger, his coach at international level, is equally confident that Kasanwirjo will be given a new lease of life by a fresh start in Scotland.
The former Barcelona, AC Milan and Middlesbrough defender has watched Kasanwirjo’s development closely having also worked with the 22-year-old during his time in the fabled Ajax youth system.
‘’I’ve known Neraysho for a long time already,” Reiziger tells the Rangers Review. “I worked with him in the youth academy of Ajax.
“Neraysho is a very good defender, who always gives everything he has. Also, he has a great mentality.”
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A member of Feyenoord’s Eredivisie-winning side in 2023, Kasanwirjo played 27 games on loan at Rapid Wien in Austria last term.
“He didn’t make it through to the first team of Ajax, but he developed well at FC Groningen, Feyenoord and later Rapid Wien. That’s why he came to our attention for the Under 21 squad,” adds Reiziger, explaining that Kasanwirjo was omitted from this month’s squad due to his lack of recent game time at club level.
“At our team, he plays a good role in the group. He is a person who can take responsibility and therefore can be important for us.
“Because of the competition on his position and the fact that he didn’t make a lot of playing minutes lately, he wasn’t selected for this international period.
“(But) I expect that Neraysho will do well in Scotland. I think that the competition and playing style will suit him well. With his game approach and mentality, he will be a great asset for Rangers.”
Debut could be on the cards against Dundee United
The Old Firm derby clash with Celtic before the September international break came too soon for Kasanwirjo.
A Scottish Premiership debut could be on the cards against Dundee United this weekend, however, with fellow deadline day recruit Nedim Bajrami also in contention to feature.
“Neraysho is a versatile defender,” Clement said, broadcast on Rangers’ official YouTube channel shortly after Kasanwirjo’s arrival.
“The important thing for me also is that he’s used to playing in Feyenoord, in De Kuip. A stadium where you have a similar atmosphere to Ibrox, with fans who are demanding, who are on top of the players, who are on top of the pitch.
“Even though he’s a young player, he has the experience – also with Holland U21s – and playing abroad already.
“He can give us versatility to be one of the centre-backs. But (Kasanwirjo) also can play on right or left full-back. He gives more depth in the squad in that way.”
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